Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): HFC Week 3: Defending the Attacking Third - Defending 1v1

Crack The Code (10 mins)

Description: 

- Give juggling sequence (the code).

- If a player cracks the code give a new code with increased difficulty. 

** The best part about juggling is you can always do better. Be sure that we are encouraging our players during the first few weeks of this curriculum and that we are coaching techniques throughout: Use the laces, lock your ankle, strike under the ball, etc. Build the players relationship with the ball**

If you do not have enough soccer balls for each player, please have them begin bringing their ball to each practice in order to maximize touches & development in training.

Defending: Technical Session (10 mins)

Description:

- 1v1 Defending unopposed activation

Phase 1

- Players sprint to opposite corner and use the mechanics to defend side on

- Players turn hips on backwards shuffle in 1v1 defensive body shape back to end line before returning to start point

Phase 2

- Same start to phase 1, with this phase including a shadow attacker

- The attacker dictates the movement at the defender looks to keep the attacker in front of them without stealing the ball

- Motion carries through the end line before players restart

Key Points:

1v1 Defending:

• Fast.
  
• Slow.
  
• Sideways.
  
• Low.
  
• Contain.
  
• Force to identified area.

** Keep this activity short & sharp as it is simply an activation to get the players used to accelerating decelerating in getting onto a side on 1v1 defensive shape. Look for balance and coordination in your coaching points along with players pivoting with a drop step in order to keep attackers in front of them.**

Modified Game: Back Line Penetration (20 mins)

Description:

- In possession team set up with 3 players in each end zone and 2 centrally. Out of possession team with line of 4 in central zones.

- In possession Team: Looks to score 1 point by playing from end zone to end zone.

- Out of possession Team: 3 points for gaining possession and scoring on the target goal (in the direction that they are facing).

Key Points:

- 1v1 Defending Technique

- Pressure, Cover, & Balance

- Making opposition play predictable (force wide)

** Though the tactical portion of the session is over, be sure to reinforce the points that you have worked on thus far in the session. And this activity, be sure to adapt the shape and numbers to how you set up your team on game day. Be sure to really focus on the pressure and cover, when pressure is applied and in one situation, the players behind the ball must cover and close the space centrally.  **